Lamda Legal Argues Same-Sex Hospital Visitation Lawsuit

Miami Hospital Tries To Block Lawsuit In Hospital Visitation Case

It’s hard to believe that in this day a hospital will block someone from seeing their partner, especially when all of the medical powers of attorney paperwork are in place and properly signed and notarized. It’s harder still to believe that such a hospital would continue to defend its inhuman policies.

The case began in February 2007, when Janice Langbehn and her partner Lisa Marie Pond, with three of their four children, were in Miami, Florida preparing for a cruise to celebrate their eighteenth anniversary. But before the cruise could leave port, Lisa Marie suffered a massive stroke and was taken to Jackson Memorial. Hospital personnel refused to let Langbehn into Pond’s hospital room, even after a legal power of attorney was faxed to the hospital. Pond was pronounced dead of a brain aneurysm about eighteen hours after being admitted to the hospital. The only time Langbehn was allowed to see her partner was when a priest was giving her last rites.

Read the Story, Box Turtle Bulletin

Love Stories: Pam Brightman and Essjay Foulkrod

“In their Oakland Beach bungalow, above the sofa where Pam Brightman and Essjay Foulkrod sit, hangs a print. It’s titled “Confidences,” by Harry Wilson Watrous (1857-1940). On the frame is a little gold plaque bearing the inscription: “A little talk there was of me and thee … ” from The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam…”

Read Pam and Essjay’s Love Story on the Providence Journal website.

GLAD Announces “6×12”

Tuesday, on the fifth anniversary of the Goodridge decision, GLAD announced the goal of “Six by Twelve”: ensuring that same-sex couples in all six New England states will be able to marry in their home state by 2012.

“We can make New England a marriage equality zone by strategically combining existing legal, electoral, and on-the-ground know-how to fast-track marriage in every New England state,” said GLAD Executive Director Lee Swislow. “By 2012 we not only can have marriage equality throughout New England, we can have a road map for the rest of the country.”

GLAD’s press release

More Public Support for No on Prop 8

The list of companies and celebrities coming out to oppose California’s Prop 8 increases. Today Apple Computers joins the ranks of Google, Levi, Stephen Spielberg, Brad Pitt, Ellen and countless others giving dollars and voice to No on 8.

No on Prop 8
Apple News – October 24, 2008

Apple is publicly opposing Proposition 8 and making a donation of $100,000 to the No on 8 campaign. Apple was among the first California companies to offer equal rights and benefits to our employees’ same-sex partners, and we strongly believe that a person’s fundamental rights — including the right to marry — should not be affected by their sexual orientation. Apple views this as a civil rights issue, rather than just a political issue, and is therefore speaking out publicly against Proposition 8.

Tim Gunn also appears in a new No on 8 ad:

GLMA Launches Marriage Equality Initiative

The Gay and Lesbian Medical Association has launched a new Marriage Equality Initiative aimed at “bringing the medical community’s weight to the table of marriage equality.”

The GLMA is using the initiative to endorse full and complete marriage equality for all gay male and lesbian couples and to oppose all legislative and ballot initiatives, state and federal, that would prevent or end marriage equality.

There are some great points in the GMLA’s newly published report, “Same-Sex Marriage and Health.” A few high-points below:

“The denial of marriage rights to same sex couples is a form of discrimination that perpetuates stigma and contributes to stress. Minority stress is associated with a variety of physical and mental health problems. The denial of marriage rights to same sex couples is often based on stereotypes and assumptions that have been proven false. The premier medical authorities in the United States, having reviewed the scientific research, endorse equal access to civil marriage.”

• Leading experts, including the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, and the National Association of Social Workers, endorse equal access to civil marriage for same-sex couples. Marriage can help protect and promote the mental and physical health of lesbians and gay men.
• Marriage is associated with multiple mental and physical health benefits.
• Marriage is also associated with many tangible and intangible benefits that support psychological health, including access to healthcare through a spouse.
• Other kinds of legal recognition of same-sex relationship do not provide the full range of benefits provided by marriage. Marriage can help protect and promote the health of children being raised by gay men and lesbians.
• Millions of children are currently being raised by same-sex couples. Their health and well-being are at risk because of the lack of legal and insurance protections that are granted automatically through marriage. They benefit when their families are respected and afforded legal protections.
• Multiple, published credible research studies find no differences in parenting skills by sexual orientation or in the psychological health or adjustment of children raised by heterosexual or homosexual parents.
• Marriage can help protect and promote the health of aging gay and lesbian individuals.
• Without legal recognition, older lesbians and gay men will face additional stressors related to their finances which have the potential to worsen their physical and mental health.